The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has arrested two Chinese nationals in a renewed operation against illegal mining in Pankese, located in the Birim North District of Ghana’s Eastern Region.
The suspects, identified as Li Yongjin and Nou Chin Haw, were apprehended on Saturday, January 3, during a targeted task-force operation aimed at dismantling illegal mining networks in the area.
Environmental damage cited
According to NAIMOS, the suspects were caught in the act of engaging in unauthorised mining activities, which have caused significant environmental degradation in the community. Officials said the illegal operations had:
• Destroyed large sections of forest cover
• Damaged cocoa farmlands, a key livelihood in the area
• Polluted nearby water bodies, including parts of the Birim River
NAIMOS described the environmental impact as severe, noting that polluted water sources pose risks to both human health and agriculture downstream.
Equipment seized and destroyed
During the operation, the task force discovered two excavators actively being used at the site. Due to the unavailability of lowbed trucks required to transport the heavy machinery, officers immobilised the excavators by removing their monitors and control boards, effectively rendering them unusable.
The team also:
• Destroyed several pieces of illegal mining equipment
• Dismantled and burnt makeshift structures erected to support the galamsey operations
In addition, a Toyota Tundra pickup truck, with registration number AS 8120–20, allegedly used by the suspects to facilitate their activities, was seized.
The arrested suspects are expected to be handed over to the appropriate law enforcement agencies for further investigations and possible prosecution in accordance with Ghana’s mining and environmental laws.
NAIMOS reiterated its commitment to intensifying operations against illegal mining across the country and warned that foreign nationals and locals alike found engaging in galamsey would face the full rigours of the law.
The Secretariat also appealed to local communities to continue cooperating with authorities by reporting suspicious mining activities, stressing that public support remains crucial in protecting Ghana’s natural resources.
Source: Africa Publicity
